Indian Railways has unveiled a comprehensive operational plan to manage the massive surge of pilgrims attending the world-famous Shravani Mela, which begins on July 30, 2026. To ensure seamless travel for thousands of devotees heading toward Deoghar, authorities from the Eastern Railway’s Malda Division and other regional zones have introduced a series of special trains. These services are strategically planned to connect major pilgrim hubs including Jamalpur, Munger, Sultanganj, and Bhagalpur, with operations scheduled to continue through late August and early September.
Key highlights of the 2026 Shravani Mela rail arrangements include:
- 03442 Jamalpur-Deoghar Weekly Special: Operating every Sunday from August 2 to August 30.
- 05028/05027 Barhni-Deoghar Special: Running 33 daily trips from July 28 to August 29.
- 08690/08689 Ranchi-Bhagalpur-Ranchi Special: Operating bi-weekly from July 26/27 to September 9/10.
- Infrastructure Boost: New Foot Over Bridge at Sultanganj and expanded ticket counters at key stations.
- Enhanced Security: Increased RPF and GRP deployment with expanded CCTV surveillance.
Infrastructure and Passenger Amenities
To handle the heavy footfall, the Railways has fast-tracked several infrastructure projects. Sultanganj Railway Station, a vital transit point for Kanwariyas, has been renovated under the Amrit Bharat Yojana. A new 12-meter wide Foot Over Bridge is set to be operational by July 26 to manage pedestrian movement. Furthermore, for the convenience of passengers, additional Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) and manual ticket counters are being set up at Bhagalpur and Sultanganj. To provide relief from the weather, large waterproof pandals and sheds have been erected across station premises.
Security and Travel Advisory
Safety remains a top priority, with railway authorities deploying extra Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel to maintain order. The stations will be under 24/7 monitoring through an extensive network of CCTV cameras. Given the expected high volume of passengers, railway officials have issued an advisory for all pilgrims to verify their train timings and designated stoppages through official IRCTC channels before reaching the station. Travelers are also urged to arrive at the platforms well ahead of their scheduled departure to avoid last-minute congestion.